Forward Assist CEO Shortlisted for a Soldiering On Lifetime Achievement Award

Now in their 14th year, the Soldiering On Awards celebrate excellence within the Armed Forces community across twelve distinct categories, ranging from Family Values to Business Start-Up and Animal Partnership. These awards aim to highlight ordinary individuals accomplishing extraordinary feats. Leading the selection process, Co-Chairs of Judges Lt Gen (Ret’d) Richard Nugee CB CVO CBE and Debra Allcock-Tyler, CEO of the Directory of Social Change, guided a distinguished panel of independent judges. They meticulously selected 36 finalists from an exceptional pool of nominees, with three finalists chosen for each category. A private reception at the House of Lords in July, hosted by Awards Patron the Rt Hon Earl Howe GBE PC, will honour the finalists. The winners will be announced at a spectacular black-tie event at the Park Plaza Westminster Bridge on Wednesday, 16th October 2024, hosted by special guest presenter Jeremy Vine. Tony Wright CEO said… “ Its an honour to find myself in such esteemed company and a great tribute to everyone, past and present that has helped me build a needs led and person centred service for thousands of military veterans and their families.” Thank you.

Forward Assist Veterans Charity Wins Communications Award

The Company of Communicators’ 2023 Clarity in Charity in Communications Award has been won by Forward Assist for its campaigns raising the profile of women veterans’ and their struggle against sexual harassment and bullying in the military.

This has been focussed through its charity Salute Her UK giving women veterans access to mental health therapists to help reduce social isolation and loneliness. The Judging Panel acknowledged the strong communications employed by Forward Assist in gaining strong hard-hitting media coverage, through innovative work and ultimately achieving its objectives by being recognised in Parliament and by Government.

El Hombre Invisible: UK Male Veterans Share Their Experiences of Military Sexual Trauma.

Its interesting that for generations, the UK Ministry of Defence has failed to recognise that male military sexual assault victims actually exist, or that it has a duty of care to ensure that those victim/survivors have access to timely, trauma informed support and therapeutic interventions and/or compensation. Over in the USA it is estimated that about 10,000 men serving in the military have been sexually assaulted over the decades. Overwhelmingly, the victims are young and low-ranking. Like the veterans in this report, many struggle when they leave the military and have trouble accessing trauma informed support to help address their multiple and complex and unmet needs in civilian life.

In total we interviewed 30 male survivors of MST aged between 37 to 69 years. 17 veterans classed themselves as single, 10 were married and 3 were in a civil partnership. The majority of those interviewed had served in the Army 53.33% (n16) with 30% (n9) serving in the Royal Navy and 16.67% (n5) serving in the Royal Air Force. Average length of service across the sample was between 2-17 years.

Warning: The content of this report may be emotionally challenging for some people and the lived experience ‘first person’ narratives of sexual assault may be potentially triggering.

https://www.forward-assist.com/s/THE-INVISIBLE-MAN-PDF-Verison-10.pdf

Forward Assist CEO Awarded Prime Ministers 'Points of Light’ Award 2020

Amidst a global pandemic, the Forward Assist Trustees and Staff were delighted to see CEO Tony Wright was awarded the Prime Ministers Points of Light award for his sterling efforts supporting military veterans over the last decade.

“Its a great honour to be recognised in this way but in reality its a team effort and a reflection of the outstanding effort and commitment of our fabulous staff, veteran volunteers and supporters. Thank you”